PhD Journal Of A Ghanaian Woman in Stem

As I begin the third year of my PhD, I’ve been reflecting a lot on the pace of research and how often it feels like two steps forward, one step back. A friend and college recently told me that it’s called ‘re-search ‘because you have to keep searching, again and again, to uncover the truth. Lately that perspective has stuck with me.

A mentor also once said, “If you had 30 good days in science, days when everything worked, you’d be the greatest scientist alive.”  I have thought about both statements a lot this month. I am learning (rather slowly) to stay present in my research, be more conscious about celebrating the small wins, and recognize that setbacks are part of the journey.

August brought me one of those wins. I placed second in my department’s Three Minute Thesis (3MT) competition. I really enjoy 3MT as a chance to share my work in a clear, engaging way that anyone can connect with.

Here’s to celebrating the little victories that make the long road worthwhile.

P.S. I also placed second last year. Consistency 🤍